'RM10 to Save Raub' campaign launched to raise RM100k

To sustain the environmental movement against a local gold mine, Bukit Koman residents have launched a fund-raising campaign dubbed 'RM10 to Save Raub' to finance their legal battle and research work.

The campaign called on supporters to donate at least RM10 each.

The Ban Cyanide Action Committee (BCAC), an ad hoc organisation spearheading the movement, announced on its Facebook webpagethat it has raised RM15,000.

“The committee had a brief meeting after giving statement in Raub district police station, and decided to bring this movement to the next level.

“Please support the 'RM10 to Save Raub' campaign for a safer, healthier and greener homeland. We aim to raise RM100,000 for legal costs and technical researches,” it said.

Three committee members and a participant of the Himpunan Hijau Raub on Sept 2 had been summoned by the police on Sunday to have their statement recorded.

It was the second time within one week the police had summoned members of the committee in relation to the rally.

Last Thursday, the residents lost their last legal chance to force Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (RAGM) at Bukit Koman to conduct a Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA), which is part of its effort to stop the gold mining activities.

The Federal Court ordered them to pay costs of RM15,000.

The committee was formed by Bukit Koman residents who claimed that the RAGM gold mine using cyanide, a highly toxic chemical, has causedvarious illnesseswithin the community.

However, the Health Ministry says itcannot confirm this.

RAGM claimed that the diseases were not caused by cyanide butpesticides or fertilisers used by the residents in their farming activities.

For more information on the fund-raising, members of the public can contact 019-2782859 or email to bancyanide@gmail.com.

“We do not appoint any other agent or individual to raise fund on behalf of BCAC,” the committee added.